Invitation to Tender - Framework Agreement for the Management of the Catering Services at Cromwell Learning Community Academy Trust

Tender Schedule:

Issue of Invitation to Tender - 31st October 2025

Bidding Companies to Visit Sites - 21st November 2025

Clarification Deadline - 5th January 2026

Clarification Return Deadline - 7th January 2026

Deadline for return of Tender Responses - 12th January 2026 - 12:00pm

Presentation by shortlisted bidders - 4th March 2026

Reference site visits - w/c 9th March 2026

Contract Awarded by - By 13th March 2025

Mobilisation Meeting - w/c 30th March 2026

Contract Commencement - 1st September 2026

The Cromwell Learning Community Academy Trust wish to be at the forefront of school catering and as such require a modern, branded offer that reflects the leading trends in the industry.

At this time, the Trust's wish is to commence a catering contract, with a partner who shares their vision for a customer-focused service that attracts the maximum number of students. The meals that are to be provided must be appealing to customers, imaginative, provide good value for money and be nutritionally balanced to encourage all students to make an educated choice.

The Trust's objectives for the new contract are as follows:-

• A catering service that is well managed and requires minimal involvement from the Trust's management team.
• A strong Contractor Area Manager who will develop and lead the team to deliver exceptional customer service, a consistently high quality food offer and spend a substantial amount of time on site at the outset to undertake this.
• A Contractor who is proactive in their relationship management with the Trust.
• Investment in the Trust's Catering service through increased marketing in return for a tenure of contract.
• A higher number of students and staff using the facilities by providing a high quality, affordable and nutritious meal.
• A catering service that encourages students to take a heathy and balanced meal.
• Food and drinks that look appetising and are attractively presented.
• A hospitality service that will help showcase the Trust through events to parents and visitors.
• A Contractor that adopts a flexible and proactive approach to all Trust activities.
• A service that is professionally merchandised and marketed with discretion and to the mutual benefit of the Trust and the Contractor.
• A Contractor that operates using the optimum level of staffing.

The schools involved in the process are:

• Bordesley Village Primary School
• Cromwell Junior and Infants School